CHASING WATERFALLS

The most popular attraction in Manuel Antonio is the National Park. The park is home to abundant wildlife, hiking trails and access to several private beaches. Without a doubt, you will see white-faced monkeys, butterflies, raccoons, and you might just catch a glimpse of a howler monkey, toucan, parrots or a sloth. You can hire a guide to help you explore the park, which we did on two of our days there. Benico was his name. Did I remember him? Pleasssssse, I made sketches people!!!! But anyho, you should be able to book a guide through any hotel or you can hire one right by the entrance of the park. We hired a guide...  we found having a guide might make the experience more enjoyable and informative. And you wouldn't want me and Daddy Warbucks wondering around the rain forest loose.

I asked for a side saddle. A true lady only rides astride, but  Benico told me to get my damn ass on the horse.

Costa Rica incognito realness!

One of the highlights of our time there was seeing the Nauyaca Waterfalls which are located about 45 minutes from Manuel Antonio where we were. The waterfalls are absolutely fantastic and the tour that takes you to them is really great as well. The are two, tiered waterfalls that fall into a refreshing swimming pool. The taller of the two falls is about 145 feet tall and the smaller is around 65 feet. The tour includes horseback riding to and from the waterfalls, time to swim in the pool ,and jump off the waterfall...do you think Im crazy?????, and lunch at the animal sanctuary. This tour was one of the most fun activities that we did in all of Costa Rica. I highly suggest it to anybody! 

Ran face into this thing. It's called a Tapir. which is the largest mammal in Costa Rica. The strange looking animal with its long,  snout is a relative to horses and rhinoceroses. It feeds on leaves, twigs, fruits and seeds Benico told me, which made me feel much better.

 

We also saw from not to far the area known as Arenal Volcano.... located  north from where we were. Its natural wonders give you the feeling that you've stepped into another time and place.The volcano, active as recent as 2010, offers a wonderful opportunity to take an easy hike where volcano flows are still evident. You can kayak on the largest lake in Costa Rica, soak in the natural hot springs, explore the caves, or go hiking

Never saw a volcano that close up.

 Our lovely tour guide Bencio after our first day, log day excursion which end on the beaches back in Manual Antonio. And who was I to complain.

He even joined Warbucks and myself for dinner and drinks and cigars one night.

And I love cigars, smoke three or four a year, and who was I to not partake of a good smooth Costa Rician?